Junior doctors start work in our hospitals

Patients across East Lancashire are to benefit from 68 newly qualified doctors who have recently started two year residencies with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The foundation doctors were also joined by 122 speciality doctors who have joined the Trust to continue training in their chosen areas such as paediatrics, medicine for older people, and surgery.

All our junior doctors receive ongoing support from senior clinicians during their time with us so patient safety is not compromised

Linda Whitfield, Trust head of clinical education at the Trust

While continuing their education at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, the new doctors will also work at Burnley General Hospital, Pendle Community Hospital, and Clitheroe Community Hospital.

Linda Whitfield, head of clinical education at the Trust, said: “Becoming a doctor isn’t an easy option, it takes years of study and hard work to achieve your junior doctor status.

“All our junior doctors receive ongoing support from senior clinicians during their time with us so patient safety is not compromised and we can better nurture the doctors’ skills.”

The foundation doctors will stay with the trust for two years, and will begin by shadowing doctors and ward teams, as well was undergoing training for prescribing, blood transfusion and resuscitation competency.

Dr Damian Riley, the Trusts Executive Medical Director, said: “Medicine is about helping people — working as part of a team, treating illness, providing advice and reassurance, and seeing effects of both ill health and good health from the patients point of view.

“This ‘shadowing period’ will equip the junior doctors with the local knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, personal and effective care from their first day on our wards and clinics.”